SB 285, titled "EXEMPT TIPS FROM INCOME TAX," would exempt tips received by New Mexico residents as compensation for services (e.g., from servers, bartenders) from being included in taxable income. The bill directs that tips earned as part of wages or compensation would not count toward net income for tax purposes. This change would apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, directly affecting service industry workers who rely on tips. The bill does not alter minimum wage requirements or tip-sharing rules, focusing solely on tax treatment of tip income.
SB 259 amends New Mexico's Charitable Solicitations Act to impose new requirements on professional fundraisers and third-party solicitors who raise money for charities. It directly affects individuals or companies paid to solicit donations or sell nonperishable goods for charitable organizations (excluding religious groups). Key provisions require these entities to register with the Attorney General ($200 fee), post a $25,000 surety bond, and submit detailed contracts outlining compensation, solicitation methods, locations, and materials before working with charities. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in fundraising activities.
SB 196 establishes a legal presumption that defendants charged with specific serious crimes (like murder, child trafficking, child abuse, sexual exploitation of children, firearm offenses, or causing death/great bodily harm) should not be released before trial. Prosecutors must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that the defendant poses a safety threat and no release conditions can protect the public. The defendant may still challenge this presumption in court, but the burden of proof remains on the prosecution. The bill is pending (postponed indefinitely in June 2025) and would apply only to cases filed on or after its effective date.
SB 403 would amend New Mexico's insurance code to prohibit insurers from treating an insured's inquiry about damage or loss as a formal claim when the inquiry isn't covered by the policy, no payment is made, and the insured didn't act deceptively. This specifically targets insurers who might pressure policyholders over non-covered issues by labeling them as claims. The bill directly affects New Mexico policyholders and insurers by preventing this practice, requiring insurers to stop treating uncovered inquiries as claims. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the Senate on June 3, 2025, so it has not become law.
HB 186 would create a new "Medicaid Forward Plan" to provide health coverage for New Mexicans under age 65 who earn too much for standard Medicaid (over 133% of the federal poverty level) but still cannot afford private insurance. The plan would use income-based premiums and cost-sharing (with discounts for households below 400% of the poverty level) and require collaboration between the Health Care Authority and the Insurance Office to enroll people through the state health insurance exchange. The bill mandates the state to develop this plan by January 2028, with $2 million allocated for planning staff and consulting in 2026-2027. It specifically requires input from tribal nations and aims to maximize federal funding to keep coverage affordable.
HB 79, the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact," would allow licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across state lines in participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It creates a "compact privilege" enabling practitioners to serve patients in other member states while maintaining their home state license, directly affecting healthcare providers and patients seeking these services. Key mechanisms include mutual recognition of licenses, enhanced oversight for disciplinary actions, support for military spouses relocating, and integration of telehealth for remote care. The bill preserves each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety through existing licensing systems. It does not change current state licensure requirements but streamlines access for providers and patients in participating states.
SB 440 allocates $250,000 from the general fund to the Department of Finance and Administration to support state agencies in creating and maintaining language access plans, as required by existing law (Section 9-1-5 NMSA 1978). This funding directly affects New Mexico state agencies that must provide language assistance services to non-English speakers. The bill ensures the funds can be used across multiple fiscal years without reverting to the general fund if unspent. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
SB 311 would amend New Mexico’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to explicitly grant local governments the power of eminent domain for redevelopment projects. This directly affects property owners in designated slum or blighted areas where local governments seek to acquire land for public projects. The bill’s key mechanism adds eminent domain to the list of powers local governments already hold, enabling them to seize private property to promote economic development, housing, medical care, infrastructure, and other public benefits outlined in the code. The change aligns with the code’s existing purpose of revitalizing distressed areas without authorizing governments to operate businesses or facilities.
HB 515 appropriates $1.5 million from the state general fund to the Board of Regents of Western New Mexico University (WNMU) to create and support a men's baseball program during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Any unspent funds at the end of 2027 would revert to the general fund. The bill, introduced by Representatives Terrazas, Ramos, and Brantley, was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. This is a funding measure for a specific university sports program, not a policy change affecting broader public interests.
HB 416 clarifies and corrects inconsistencies in New Mexico's public employee pension system. It specifically addresses disability retirement procedures, survivor pension rules, and overpayment collection processes, while also clarifying pension calculations for certain public regulation commissioners. The bill aims to streamline administrative processes for the Public Employees Retirement Association and Educational Retirement Board, including allowing information sharing about reciprocity retirees. However, the bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and did not advance to become law. This is primarily an administrative clarification bill affecting public employees and retirees covered under New Mexico's pension systems.
HB 297 creates a new computer science licensure endorsement for New Mexico teachers, requiring specific qualifications to teach computer science at any grade level. Teachers seeking this endorsement must meet one of six pathways: 15 college credits in computer science, passing a certification exam, having two years of industry work experience with verification, holding an industry certification, completing 60 hours of relevant professional development, or demonstrating three years of teaching experience. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for teacher professional development related to this endorsement, to be spent in fiscal years 2026-2027. This directly affects current and aspiring teachers who want to add computer science to their license, particularly those in secondary education. The requirement applies to all grade levels but specifies secondary licensure pathways in the underlying statute.
HB 328, introduced by Representatives Pettigrew and Murphy, would repeal New Mexico’s Clean Transportation Fuel Standard Program. The bill removes legal requirements for the Environmental Improvement Department to enforce rules on carbon intensity for transportation fuels and prohibits future adoption of such standards. This directly affects fuel producers and distributors who previously had to comply with clean fuel regulations, and it eliminates the department’s authority to manage carbon intensity metrics under environmental law. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on repealing existing requirements without creating new obligations. It was postponed indefinitely by the legislature in June 2025.
